EDITORIAL: This is How Movies Can Act As an Effective Educational Tool

It seems as if just a few decades ago, students could only dream about using technology in the classroom. Now, dreams have become a reality. By drifting away from the orthodox and traditional teaching methods, educators are actually to improve the learning experience for the students. One of the best and easily accessible ways of implementing technology in education is by using movies. As time goes on, more and more professionals actually start to support the idea of educating by using movies. Of course, there are some benefits and disadvantages to using technology in a learning process, but let’s go over the basics for now. How is it possible for movies to be educational?

2019, Column, Editorial, SPECIAL, Social Media, GUEST EDITORIALDon ShanahanDecember 5, 2019Comment

COLUMN: 7 DIY Steps in Setting Up a Perfect Home Theater System In Your Condo

Living in condo units has notable limitations such as smaller space and sharing walls with your neighbors. However, it does not necessarily keep you from building your very own home theater. Everybody wants to have the best movie or TV shows binging experience. With having to know the right things to do, you can set up a perfect home theater system in small living spaces. You can transform your condo living room to be the home theater that you always dreamed of.

2019, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 5, 2019Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: 5 Great Family Movies for the Holidays

Holiday movies are an integral part of the holiday experience for many families. Consider adding these five holiday movies to your holiday tradition. There are many holiday movies to choose from. These five classics entertain and reinforce the holiday spirit in ways that are sure to make them part of your holiday tradition.

2019, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 4, 2019Comment

EDITORIAL: 5 Best Movies to Motivate You to Write More

It has always been a true mystery what books professional writers read. I mean, how they choose the bedside book for the evening, if they fall in love with characters, whether or not they get inspired for own plots... Perhaps, that’ll remain a mystery. What movies they watch for inspiration is no longer a secret. You might be surprised, but most of the preferable movies aren’t about writers. They are about complicated characters whose nature is exposed by means of words and actions. After a good movie, one can write a few decent pages or maybe a whole chapter!

2019, Column, Editorial, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 4, 2019 Comment

GUEST ESSAY: The Red and Blue Pill within Capitalism: Exploring Control and Consumerism in “The Matrix”

By Yousreng He

The future that The Matrix predicts is dystopian because the people in the film generally pretend to ignore their thoughts and desire, indeed their humanity, because they believe what they do not know cannot hurt them. The influence that makes people choose ignorance has come from the power of capitalism, which is very capable of controlling people physically and mentally. The power of capitalism is enormous in the film, kind of like a big engine that genetically engineers slave labor. It is very telling that most people go to work not because they like what they do, but because they want to put food on their tables and money in their pockets. That dependence on the capital goods that people have come to expect is how capitalism controls people in the Matrix.

2019, Column, Editorial, Essay, SPECIAL, Social MediaDon ShanahanDecember 2, 2019 Comments

INFOGRAPHIC: Battle Of The Credits: Video Games v Movies

Casino Kings counted thousands of video game and movie titles to see if it now requires more people to create a triple-A video game than a blockbuster movie, and the role microtransactions have potentially played in the growth of the gaming industry. The video game industry now attracts A-list talent to star in its games, such as Norman Reedus in Death Stranding and Keanu Reeves in the soon to be released futuristic RPG Cyberpunk 2077. Along with these famous names, a triple-A game now requires a team of thousands of developers, designers and programmers all working together over many months to make sure their latest iteration is on shelves in time for release day.

2019, Column, Editorial, Infographic, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 2, 2019Comment

INFOGRAPHIC: Pricing Up Pop Culture’s Most Beloved Cars

Ever wanted to get behind the wheel of your favorite pop culture car? Maybe you think you could handle the Batmobile or take on a high-speed chase, Fast and Furious style. The Moneyshake blog looked at auction listings and sales to see how much movie memorabilia motors really sell for. Check out the huge prices of eight popular film and TV cars below and compare them with what you could’ve bought instead.

2019, Column, Editorial, Infographic, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 2, 2019Comment

GUEST ESSAY: Existentialism and Mental Dilemma in the Spaces of "Birdman"

By Prem Jongdeenarn

The film depicts the behavior of the egotism of the main character, Riggan Thomson, who lacks public attention leading to an existential crisis, thus affecting his mental dilemma. Moreover, he always repeats himself with disappointments from society’s ignorance, and desires to overwhelm all the negative experiences by returning to be famous in society. Therefore, the philosophy of existentialism is related to Birdman through the description of the freedom, action, prestige, and the yearning for existence in society of the main character through architectural elements. In addition, the concept of realism in cinematography known as a long take is used to clarify the central character’s crisis, which will be discussed in the next paragraphs from an architectural viewpoint.

Essay, SPECIAL, GUEST EDITORIAL, Editorial, ColumnDon ShanahanDecember 1, 2019 Comments

GUEST EDITORIAL: Pros and Cons of Using Movies in Education

The use of movies in the education program is to engage learners. However, there are many more reasons why movies are important in the classroom. “Instructors must acknowledge that effective learning is based on a proper plan to enhance the student experience at any level”, says Jennifer Broflowski, a teacher and writer at CraftResumes. Among the plans is to review the policies of using films according to the school requirements. For instance, there are different ratings of films, thus teachers must establish which types are necessary for use in the classroom setup. Nonetheless, the use of film has both pros and cons in education.

2019, Editorial, Column, GUEST EDITORIAL, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanDecember 1, 2019 Comment

COLUMN: Top 5 Movies to Get Inspired for Creative Essay Writing

Movies are among the best ever helpers when it comes to inspiration. Needless to say that when you are stuck with essay writing, it is better to watch an inspiring film about writers than to focus on procrastination, computer games, and social media. We don’t judge those activities — but if speaking about efficiency, watching movies is a good choice. Especially when those movies show writers, their struggle, good and bad decisions defining their career. Start with these five movies, and if it is not enough, storm on Netflix and find some more. However, from our experience, one film is enough for staying inspired for a period needed to write an essay.

2019, Column, Editorial, Home Media, LIST, Social Media, SPECIALDon ShanahanNovember 28, 2019Comment

GUEST EDITORIAL: Was the film version of "The Lion King" worth it?

by Justin Osborne
Everyone remembers The Lion King, the great animated movie that was released by Disney in 1994. It features animals, from lions to meerkats and warthogs. It showed what “the Circle of Life” means and it rapidly gathered popularity among children and their parents. After 25 years, Disney decided to make a remake of the original animated movie and released the new animation in July. While the story is the same, the effects are impressive. But the reviews are both good and bad. So, was the film version of The Lion King worth it?

2019, Column, Editorial, GUEST EDITORIAL, Home MediaDon ShanahanNovember 23, 2019 Comments

GUEST EDITORIAL: Top 10 Films Starring Only Two Actors

By Ashley Halsey

Most commercially successful films tend to have big budgets, large cast and action taking place over several locations. But there are some films which take the risk of featuring just two actors, often limiting the action to one location and placing the emphasis on dialogue and the delivery of memorable performances. These ten films are as notable for their captivating and often poignant content, as they are for the skillful, powerful performances delivered by just the two actors who carry the weight of the entire film.